Beach House: Bloom
Beach House
Bloom
(Sub Pop Records)
Beach House is nothing if not consistent.
The band has had a relatively constant formula since its 2006 debut, but now, four albums in, Bloom showcases a band whose aesthetic hasnât gotten old, whose sound hasnât grown tired and gimmicky, and that hasnât lost the ability to make the listener swoon.
Any worries that they wouldnât top 2010âs Teen Dream are almost immediately cast aside during the opening âMyth,â four minutes of shimmering guitar and Victoria Legrandâs ever-alluring and, at times, booming voice.
If you wait to be let down over the course of the record, you wonât be. Itâs full of haunting melodies and dreamy sounds; chill to the extreme but not âchillwave,â somber but not dark, pretty but not hokey.
It all builds to one heck of an ending; from the lovely âWishesâ to the rather epic, slow-burning closer of âIrene,â which at about seven minutes is easily the groupâs longest song.
The most satisfying thing about hearing Bloom is the fact that, despite the fairly sparse vocals-guitar-keyboard-drum machine palette, Legrand and guitarist Alex Scally have been able to transcend the trappings of most duos with such limitations and get better and better over time.
Legrandâs voice has become a full-scale, shiver-inducing powerhouse, a Stevie Nicks for the indie crowd. The arrangements are still simple but more lush than ever.
Most importantly, this duo still writes beautiful songs that transcend the ânow.â This oneâs a keeper.